Portable hard disk drive connector with a parallel (printer) port control board and a U-shaped frame

ABSTRACT

A portable hard disk drive connector with a parallel (printer) port control board including: a casing including an upper cover and a lower cover engaged with the upper cover; and a control board fixedly fitted in the lower cover and having a parallel (printer) port interface input connector partly protruding out the casing, a parallel (printer) port output connector partly protruding out of the casing, and a hard disk drive connector provided at its both ends with a rack thus forming a U-shaped frame for receiving a hard disk drive.

CROSS-REFERENCE

This application is a continuation-in-part of the patent application Ser. No. 08/081,236, filed Jun. 25, 1993, now U.S. Pat. No. 5,406,450.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Although note book computers allow further reduction in size and weight, most users still prefer to carry the hard disk drive and interface board if the place to which they are going is provided with computer(s). This is just because the note book computer is larger and heavier than the hard disk drive. Nevertheless, the commonly used hard disk drive is still too large in size and furthermore, it is necessary to dismantle the computer for installing the hard disk drive thereby causing much inconvenience in use.

Therefore, it is an object of the present invention to provide a portable hard disk drive connector with a parallel (printer) port control board which may obviate and mitigate the above-mentioned drawbacks.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to a potable hard disk drive connector with a parallel (printer) port control board.

It is the primary object of the present invention to provide a portable hard disk drive connector with a parallel (printer) port control board with which a 1.8" hard disk drive or other sized hard disk drive with PCMCIA interface may be connected.

It is still another object of the present invention to provide a portable hard disk drive connector with a parallel (printer) port control board which is lightweight and compact in size.

It is still another object of the present invention to provide a portable hard disk drive connector with a parallel (printer) port control board which is low in cost.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a portable hard disk drive connector with a parallel (printer) port control board which can be connected to a computer printer port directly without extra cable.

The invention accordingly consists of features of constructions and method, combination of elements, arrangement of parts and steps of the method which will be exemplified in the constructions and method hereinafter disclosed, the scope of the application of which will be indicated in the claim following.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an exploded view of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the present invention; and

FIG. 3 is a working view of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Before explaining the present invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and arrangement of parts illustrated in the accompanying drawings, since the invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or carried out in various ways. Also it is to be understood that the phraseology or terminology employed herein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation.

Turning now to the drawing figures in which like numerals represent like parts, the preferred embodiment of the present invention will now be described. As illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2 thereof, the portable hard disk connector with a parallel (printer) port control board according to the present invention comprises a casing 1 composed of an upper cover 3 and a lower cover 2. A plurality of threaded sleeves 4 are formed on the lower cover so that the upper cover 3 may be engaged with the lower cover 2 by engaging screws 5 with the threaded sleeves 4. Fitted in the lower cover 2 is a control card 6 which is provided with a parallel (printer) port interface input connector 7, a parallel (printer) port output connector 8, and a hard disk connector 10. The parallel (printer) port interface input connector 7 and the parallel (printer) port output connector 8 partly protrude out of the casing 1. The hard disk connector 10 is provided at both ends with a rack 9 thereby forming a U-shaped frame for facilitating the engagement between a 1.8" hard disk 12 or other sized hard disk drive with PCMCIA interface and the hard disk connector 10. Further, the upper cover 3 is formed with a recess 15 so as to make it easier to disengage the hard disk 12 from the hard disk connector 10. Accordingly, the connector 7 can be directly connected with a printer connector of a computer (see FIG. 3) and it will be convenient to read the data in the hard disk drive 12. The technique for an interface control board is well known to those skilled in the art and is not considered a part of the invention. Furthermore, the control board 6 is fixedly mounted on the lower cover 2 by engaging screws 13 with the threaded sleeves 14 thereof.

Referring now to FIG. 2, the portable hard disk drive connector with a parallel (printer) port control board according to the present invention comprises a parallel (printer) port interface input connector 7, a parallel (printer) port output connector 8, and a hard disk drive connector 10. Hence, the present invention can be conveniently connected to a printer connector of a computer.

It should be noted, however, that the hard disk drive connector 10 may be replaced with a PCMCIA socket, IDE connector, or ATA (AT Attachment) connector as required.

The invention accordingly consists of features of constructions and method, combination of elements, arrangement of parts and steps of the method which will be exemplified in the constructions and method hereinafter disclosed, the scope of the application of which will be indicated in the claim following. 

I claim:
 1. A portable hard disk drive connector with a parallel (printer) port control board comprising:a casing including an upper cover and a lower cover engaged with the upper cover; and a control board fixedly fitted in said lower cover and having a parallel (printer) port interface input connector partly protruding out of said casing, a parallel (printer) port output connector partly protruding out of said casing, and a hard disk drive connector having two parallel racks each extending outwardly from each end of said hard disk drive connector thus forming a U-shaped frame for receiving a hard disk drive.
 2. The portable hard disk drive connector with a parallel (printer) port control board as claimed in claim 1, wherein said upper cover is formed with a recess above said U-shaped frame thereby making it easier to engage or disengage a hard disk drive with said hard disk drive connector. .Iadd.
 3. An adapter for connecting a portable data storage device to a computer having an externally disposed printer parallel port connector, said adapter comprising:a casing; a control card mounted within said casing; a frame in said casing, said casing having an exposed opening aligned with said frame to allow ready insertion and removal of a portable data storage device into said casing and received in said frame; a first connector mounted within said casing and electrically connected to said control card, said first connector adapted to mate with a connector on said portable data storage drive when said portable data storage device is inserted in said frame; a second connector fixed to said casing and electrically connected to said control card and adapted to mate with said computer printer parallel port connector to support said casing on said computer; and a third connector carried on said casing and electrically connected to said control card and adapted to mate with a printer cable connector, whereby said adapter can be connected to said computer printer parallel port by said second connector and enable any portable data storage device inserted into said casing to be accessed by said computer..Iaddend..Iadd.4. The adapter according to claim 3 wherein said frame is U-shaped with said casing opening aligned with said U-shaped frame..Iaddend..Iadd.5. The adapter according to claim 3 wherein said portable data storage device comprises a portable hard disk drive..Iaddend. 